Performances Magazine | La Mirada Theatre, June 2025
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“What happens here is that you find yourself. You’re actually opening. You’re walking through many, many doors inside of you. I take with me a quietness that I’m able to share and instill in people. Because I’m back as Diane. I’m back whole.”
The Iconic Retreat
contents
P1 Program
Cast, performances, who’s who, director’s notes and donors
6 In the Wings
The Hollywood Bowl season spans classical to hip-hop; Away in the Catskills at Skirball Cultural Center; Los Angeles Ballet Cinderella at Hollywood’s Dolby Theatre.
10 Music to Their Ears
Southern California’s KUSC officially merges with its Bay Area sister station to become Classical California on June 30; they’ll share the on-air talent and program schedule.
17 Grounded Elegance
Connecting a home’s aesthetics to its site via art and science is an underappreciated discipline of landscape architecture
22 French Comfort
Elegant honesty reigns and bistro favorites are elevated at Perle—even as its owners weather their devastating loss in the recent fires.
32 Parting Thought
Performances’ program platform for shows and concerts can be accessed from any digital device.
A culinary
for your theatre outing encore
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STARRY NIGHTS
THE LOS ANGELES PHILHARMONIC continues its summer tradition of concerts at the Hollywood Bowl. Gustavo Dudamel returns for his penultimate Bowl season as the orchestra’s music and artistic director, leading eight performances in August with guest artists spanning classical, pop, rock, hip-hop, jazz and Broadway; he’s joined by Venezuela’s Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra and pianist Yuja Wang on Aug. 12. Aug. 1-3, the Hollywood Bowl Musical casts Cynthia Erivo as Jesus and Adam Lambert as Judas in Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Jesus Christ Superstar. Jaws in Concert with the Phil, July 5, marks the 50th anniversary of the blockbuster movie. The Blue Note Jazz Festival June 14-15 brings nonstop performances by artists including Grace Jones, the Isley Brothers, De La Soul and many more. The opening-night gala June 7 features singer-actor Hugh Jackman, the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra and Youth Orchestra Los Angeles (YOLA). 2301 N. Highland Ave., L.A., 323.850.2000, hollywoodbowl.com
MUSIC
Hollywood Bowl and, opposite, L.A. Phil music and artistic director Gustavo Dudamel
CATSKILL VACAYS
THE ARTIST sifts through inherited and imagined memories of midcentury vacations at resorts in New York’s Catskill Mountains—a.k.a. the Borscht Belt—in Away in the Catskills: Summers, Sour Cream, and Dirty Dancing by Marisa J. Futernick. The exhibition, on display through August at the Skirball Cultural Center, addresses, and invites conversation about, memory as well as assimilation and loss. Futernick’s multimedia works incorporate photography, text and video, juxtaposing her mother’s and grandmother’s strong feelings of Jewish community with her own search for a deeper sense of belonging. Fifteen prints, drawn from vintage color slides of the artist’s family on vacation, are paired with imagined text and dialogue peppered with Yiddish phrases. It’s Futernick’s first solo presentation in a U.S. museum; many of the works were created specifically for the show. 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., L.A., 310.440.4500, skirball.org
Fairy Tale With Twists
MOST OF THE story—of a young woman who’s a servant in her own home, a stepmother and two stepsisters, a ball where the prince chooses his bride, a glass slipper— remains. But with captivating choreography by Edwaard Liang set to Sergei Prokofiev’s score, Los Angeles Ballet’s Cinderella reimagines parts of the fairy tale to add emotional depth, fantasy and humor. Five performances with live orchestra take place June 12-15 at the Dolby Theatre. Taiwanborn Liang, new artistic director of the Washington Ballet, began his career at New York City Ballet; he’s the first Asian American to lead a major U.S. ballet company. 16801 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, 323.308.6300, dolbytheatre.com
ART
Above: Marisa J. Futernick’s Do the Mashed Potato at Skirball Cultural Center pairs this vintage slide with imagined dialogue. Right: Los Angeles Ballet’s Cinderella.
MUSIC TO THEIR EARS
Southern California’s KUSC officially merges with its Bay Area sister station to become Classical California. by SHERRY STERN
CLASSICAL MUSIC IN Southern California has long been associated with KUSC, the storied radio station first transmitted nearly 80 years ago from the University of Southern California campus.
KUSC 91.5 outlived competitors and changing tastes, and over time found ways to expand its listener base by adding signals up and down the state, rebranding as Classical California.
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Beginning June 30, its expansion builds to a new crescendo as KUSC formally unites with the Bay Area’s Classical KDFC. The sister stations will share the on-air talent and program schedule.
What’s happening both on air and behind the scenes will elevate the integrated station, signaling a solid future for lovers of symphonic and operatic music, says James A. Muhammad, president of Classical California.
“The unification will help us build audience, create ease of use and also create impact,” Muhammad says.
This is the turning point in a story that began in 2011 when L.A.’s public station acquired the San
Francisco popular mainstay. At first, dedicated listeners and even some on-air talent raised their eyebrows at the unexpected partnership.
“I think it’s a little bit like a romance,” says midday host Dianne Nicolini, who began her tenure at KDFC in 1994.
“When we first started being connected to KUSC, there was a little bit of hesitance from me.
“Speaking strictly for myself, they were very different stations. KUSC has always been a listener-supported station, a public station. We were the absolute epitome of commercial.
“It’s been so fascinating how we’ve blended over the years, the best
Staying Local
Whither goes KUSC when it becomes Classical California?
The short answer: nowhere.
The public station is, of course, best known for playing classical music over the air.
But a key component of KUSC is community engagement and that won’t change when the station formally becomes one with San Francisco’s KDFC, says James A. Muhammad, president of Classical California.
“We’ll continue to have our engagement efforts serving the individual communities, things that are vitally important to those people who follow and listen to us in the different communities,” he says.
Nowhere was that more evident than in the aftermath of the tragic Southern California fires, which hit not just KUSC audiences and staff, but the station’s equipment.
When the Eaton wildfire worked its way up a mountaintop next to Mount Wilson in the Angeles National Forest, it partially melted the station’s radio transmission lines.
While running on low power and beginning the repair process, KUSC jumped into several efforts to support the Altadena and Pacific Palisades communities.
The station partnered with the L.A. Food Bank and listeners contributed more than 70,000 meals to victims of the fire, Muhammad says.
Musical instrument drives with Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation were a natural partnership, both for students whose instruments were lost in the fires and for music programs rebuilding their inventory.
The station began a weekly program called “Notes from the Fires,” with reporter John Rabe spotlighting members of the classical community hurt by fires, whether they lost their homes, were smoked out, or lost their businesses.
And during the fires KUSC was able to lean into its partnership with KDFC.
“We had announcers in Southern California who became displaced, and we were able to shift to our announcers in the Bay Area to keep the service going,” Muhammad says.
“That’s just an example of the strength of our network.”
Classical California midday host Dianne Nicolini and, below, president James A. Muhammad
FEATURE
Passion Meets Purpose
Los Angeles Unified is looking for passionate and talented educators to help students express their creativity.
QR Code to learn more.
of KUSC and the best of KDFC. And now that we’re connected, it feels good.”
As the name signals, the integrated station remains dedicated to the classical genre.
That includes the main broadcast on the FM dial as well as specialty streams online, on its app and via smart speaker. In place of visiting individual websites, listeners will find it all on one url, classicalcalifornia.org.
“Broadcasting from two iconic, world-class cultural cities gives us a unique opportunity to celebrate the rich arts and culture of all California— and beyond—on one easy-to-remember website and radio station,” says Bill Lueth, president of Classical California-SF.
stations becoming one, Muhammad says, “gives us an opportunity to better serve through one brand rather than trying to promote different brands. It makes it easier to access and to find, and to promote ourselves.”
The aligned programming features recent additions to Classical California’s on-air talent. That includes Lara Downes and Brisa Siegel, who bring unique perspectives, Downes as a classical pianist and Siegel as a bilingual host who’s newly discovering the classical world.
Downes—host of “Evening Music,” weekdays 8 p.m. to midnight, and the “Classical Americana” stream— brings the insight of a concert and recording
/ CONTINUED ON PAGE 28
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LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS and McCOY RIGBY ENTERTAINMENT’S
Music and Lyrics by KRISTEN ANDERSON-LOPEZ
Book by
& ROBERT LOPEZ
JENNIFER LEE
Originally directed on Broadway by MICHAEL
GRANDAGE
Based on the Disney film written by Jennifer Lee and directed by Chris Buck & Jennifer Lee
Originally produced on Broadway by Disney Theatrical Productions
Starring
CAILEN FU
JENNA LEA ROSEN ALEXANDER MENDOZA MARK IVY with
ISABELLA ABIERA BRITTANY ANDERSON BEAU BRIANS DELILAH BRIEN DAVIDE COSTA QUINTAN CRAIG DANIEL DAWSON ANDREA DOBBINS SLOANE GRIFFITH HARMONY ISHIKAWA
EVERLEIGH KIM-BERGMAN BRUNO KOSKOFF REGINA LE VERT DEREK MANSON SHANON MARI MILLS
MARISA MOENHO ASHLEY MONIZ AUDREY MOORE KENNETH MOSLEY GABRIEL NAVARRO CAMAL PUGH ALEXANDER RÍOS BELLAMI SOLEIL SMITH THOMAS WHITCOMB and GARRETT CLAYTON as Hans
King Agnarr ........................................................................................... GABRIEL NAVARRO*
Bulda ............................................................................................................REGINA LE VERT*
Oaken, Bishop .......................................................................................... DANIEL DAWSON*
Sven ...................................................................................................... THOMAS WHITCOMB
Pabbie KENNETH MOSLEY*
Young Anna ............................................................................... EVERLEIGH KIM-BERGMAN
Young Elsa BELLAMI SOLEIL SMITH
Ensemble ....... BRITTANY ANDERSON, BEAU BRIANS, DELILAH BRIEN, DAVIDE COSTA, QUINTAN CRAIG*, DANIEL DAWSON*, SLOANE GRIFFITH, HARMONY ISHIKAWA, BRUNO KOSKOFF*, REGINA LE VERT*, SHANON MARI MILLS*, MARISA MOENHO, ASHLEY MONIZ*, KENNETH MOSLEY*, GABRIEL NAVARRO*, ALEXANDER RÍOS*
UNDERSTUDIES & SWINGS
Understudies and Swings never substitute for listed players unless a specific announcement for the appearance is made at the time of the performance.
Understudies: For Elsa – ASHLEY MONIZ*, for Anna – MARISA MOENHO, for Kristoff – ALEXANDER RÍOS*, for Olaf – BEAU BRIANS, for Hans – DAVIDE COSTA, for Weselton & Sven – BRUNO KOSKOFF*, for Pabbie – CAMAL PUGH, for Oaken, Bishop & King Agnarr – QUINTAN CRAIG*, for Queen Iduna - SHANON MARI MILLS*, for Bulda – BRITTANY ANDERSON, for Young Elsa – ISABELLA ABIERA, for Young Anna – AUDREY MOORE Swings: ANDREA DOBBINS, CAMAL PUGH
Production Stage Manager ...................................................................................... TALIA KRISPEL*
There will be one 15-minute intermission during this performance.
*Members of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.
Any video and/or audio recording of this performance is strictly prohibited.
Opening
SCENES & MUSICAL NUMBERS
ACT I
Hidden People, Young Anna, Young Elsa, Queen Iduna, King Agnarr
A Little Bit You Young Anna, Young Elsa
First Joik ......................................................................................... Hidden People, Queen Iduna, Pabbie
Northern Lights .......................................................................... Young Elsa, Queen Iduna, King Agnarr
Do You Want to Build a Snowman? Young Anna, Elsa, Anna, Ensemble
For the First Time in Forever .......................................Anna, Elsa, Kristoff, Hans, Weselton, Ensemble
Hans of the Southern Isles ..................................................................................................................... Hans
Dangerous to Dream Elsa, Ensemble
Love Is an Open Door ................................................................................................................ Anna, Hans
Reindeers Are Better Than People....................................................................................................Kristoff
What Do You Know About Love Anna, Kristoff
In Summer...................................................................................................................................................Olaf
Hans of the Southern Isles (Reprise) ............................................................ Hans, Weselton, Ensemble
Let It Go (Reprise) ...................................................................................................................................... Elsa
I Can’t Lose You ............................................................................................................................. Anna, Elsa
End This Winter .......................................................................................................... Weselton, Ensemble
Monster Elsa, Hans, Ensemble
Kristoff Lullaby Tag/King Hans ............................................................................................... Kristoff, Hans
Colder by the Minute...................................................................... Anna, Elsa, Kristoff, Hans, Ensemble Finale Queen lduna, King Agnarr, Pabbie, Bulda, Anna, Elsa, Kristoff, Weselton, Olaf, Ensemble
ORCHESTRA
Music Director/Conductor - Brad Gardner
Reed 1 (Piccolo, Flute, Soprano Saxophone, Alto Saxophone) - Jeff Driskill; Reed 2 (Flute, Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone) - Sean Franz; French Horn - Laura Brenes; Trumpet/Flugelhorn - Javier Gonzalez, Aaron Smith; Tenor/Bass Trombone - Charlie Morillas; Guitar (Octave Mandolin/Nylon String/Steel String/Electric) - Brian LaFontaine; Bass (Acoustic/Electric) - David Hughes; Drums - Joel Alpers; Percussion - Nick Stone; Keyboard 1 - Adam McDonald; Keyboard 2 - Anthony Zediker; Keyboard 3 - Dolores Duran; Orchestra Contractor – Eric Heinly
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR’S NOTES
BOBBY and the MUSIC YOU CAN’T LET GO
He came to the stage door after the show, he and his collaborator, about 25 years ago now: a young, ambitious composer who had already demonstrated he possessed the skill, good taste, wit, and melodic gifts to create songs you couldn’t – and didn’t want to – forget. He was Bobby Lopez.
Today, he’s known officially as “Robert Lopez,” winner of multiple Tonys, Emmys, Oscars, and Grammys for hit shows and movies you’ve probably seen: AVENUE Q, BOOK OF MORMON, COCO, WANDAVISION, AGATHA ALL ALONG, and Disneyland’s FINDING NEMO among them.
Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez
But on this night, all those years ago, Bobby was turning up at the stage door of Studio 54, which was home to a Broadway musical for which I was the Associate Director. He arrived with his collaborator, Jeff Marx. At a recent musical theater workshop, they had presented a handful of comedic songs that they hoped would be used as interstitial animated numbers on MTV – much in the way “Conjunction Junction” and other SCHOOLHOUSE ROCK songs played in the ‘70s between Saturday morning TV shows. I’d loved what I’d heard. Their songs were amusing and clever, but also tuneful and charming, crafted along the lines of the old masters, with a certain sense of fun and irreverence that reminded me of earlier successful teams like Strouse & Adams (“Bye Bye Birdie”). I asked them to come by after a performance of my show. In person, they were like their songs: upbeat, optimistic, friendly, witty, fun, and excited by new ideas.
I’d bought the rights to a children’s Christmas book set in New York and asked if they’d like to write the score. We came up with a funny outline, which indicated to me that Bobby was more than just a wonderful melody writer – he saw the whole picture.
As is sometimes the case, the project had to be shelved because 9/11 happened and nobody wanted to see a New York-centered story at the time, so we all moved on. Soon, they put their MTV-intended songs into a narrative musical, and AVENUE Q was born. I saw the second performance and congratulated them afterward, but Bobby told me there was another cause for congratulations: the night before – opening night – he’d proposed to his girlfriend, Kristen, who proudly showed me the engagement ring. It was a heady time.
Eventually, Jeff and Bobby parted ways, and Bobby found a marvelous new lyricist closer to home: Kristen. Together, they’ve written unforgettable songs such as the ones you’re hearing at this performance. All of them are marked by surprising turns of phrase, dexterous rhymes, and music expertly suited to the moment and the character. But what I admire most is their ability to bring joy, insight, and laughter wrapped in an authenticity and vulnerability that feels at once mythical and contemporary.
In these last 25 years, Bobby has seen incredible and deserved success, with more to come, I’m sure, but his promise was evident at the stage door as a songwriter bursting with wit, theatrical instinct, and an ability to inspire through song.
BT McNicholl Producing Artistic Director
Kristen
WHO’S WHO
In alphabetical order
ISABELLA ABIERA (u/s Young Elsa) is excited to return to La Mirada! She was last seen in The King and I, has appeared in numerous commercials, TV/ Film projects: voice actor on the Emmy-winning “Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures,” “Alice’s Wonderland Bakery,” “Infinity Train,” “Arcane,” “Monsters at Work,” Raya and the Last Dragon, and more. Thanks to her family, McCoy Rigby, and Julia Flores for their support! @isabellaabiera
BRITTANY ANDERSON (Ensemble, u/s Bulda) is thrilled to be making her La Mirada debut in Frozen! She is from SoCal and received her BA in Music from The Master’s University. Stage: Sarah in Ragtime (MTW & 5-Star), Bea in Something Rotten (5-Star), and Nala in Tale of the Lion King (Disneyland Resort). TV: “Josh Groban: Stages Live.” Brittany would like to thank her family for their support, FSE, and the Frozen Creative Team (1 Cor. 10:31)! @brittanymariesings
BEAU BRIANS (Ensemble, u/s Olaf) recently finished a run in the Las Vegas Residency of Jersey Boys. Regional: Catch Me if You Can (Frank Jr., Critic’s Circle Award), Jersey Boys (3x), Something Rotten! (Nigel), Bonnie & Clyde (Clyde), She Loves Me (Arpad), Million Dollar Quartet, Smoke on the Mountain, Claudio Quest, The Sound of Music and Les Misérables. TV/ Film: “Timeless” (NBC), Journey to Royal, Speak Now, Zero Tolerance. Beau is also an awardwinning screenwriter. Philippians 3:7 epicbeau.com
DELILAH BRIEN (Ensemble) is thrilled to make her professional debut at La Mirada Theatre! Delilah moved to Los Angeles in 2020 from the East Coast to pursue her artistic passions and is currently an undergraduate at the USC School of Dramatic Arts. Delilah is a multi-disciplinary artist with a love for theater, videography, and painting. She thanks her family and mentor for teaching her to transform a vision into a reality.
GARRETT CLAYTON (Hans) Best known for starring in Disney’s Teen Beach Movie and Teen Beach 2 , NBC’s Hairspray Live! , and the Ovation Award-winning IT: A Musical Parody as Pennywise, which he also performed OffBroadway. Stage work includes God Looked Away alongside Al Pacino and Judith Light,
and musicals like Peter Pan and Sleeping Beauty and Her Winter Knight . After the success of The Play That Goes Wrong , Garrett is very excited to return to La Mirada in Frozen !
DAVIDE COSTA (Ensemble, u/s Hans) is thrilled to make his La Mirada debut! Recent credits: Jack in Into the Woods (MTW), Matt in The Fantasticks (McKinney), Mr. Elton in Emma the Musical (Chance), and Cinderella’s Prince in Into the Woods at UCLA where he graduated in 2024 with BA in Musical Theatre. Thank you to James at Bloc, everyone part of the La Mirada team, and family and friends - you know who you are! @davideeccosta | thedavidecosta.com
QUINTAN CRAIG (Ensemble, u/s Oaken, u/s Bishop, u/s King Agnar ) is overjoyed to be back in Arendelle! National Tours: Disney’s The Little Mermaid , Scuttle. Recent regional credits: Jersey Boys, Nick Devito, u/s Bob Gaudio (MRE), 42nd Street , Billy Lawlor (MTW, 3DT), An American in Paris , u/s Jerry Mulligan (MTW), Cinderella , u/s Prince Topher (MTW). MTI’s recordings of West Side Story (Riff) and Newsies (Jack). Singing Lead for The World Famous Dapper Dans of Disneyland. Love to Vee and the Fam! @Quintan_Craig
DANIEL DAWSON (Oaken, Bishop, Ensemble) Hoo Hoo! Big summer blowout show! Daniel was last seen at the La Mirada Theatre in Disney’s The Little Mermaid (Gull/Ensemble). Other McCoy Rigby credits: Joseph… (Pharaoh/Levi), Peter Pan with Cathy Rigby, CATS (Skimbleshanks), RENT, and Miss Saigon. Additional credits: Frozen –Live at the Hyperion (Olaf), Shrek The Musical (Farquaad), Spamalot (Herbert/Historian/Not Dead Fred), National Tour of CATS, and Disney Cruise Line. Represented by Ashley Wible at Aperture Talent. Social Media: @thedanieldawson
ANDREA DOBBINS (Swing, Dance Captain) is so excited to be back on the La Mirada stage! National Tours: Disney’s The Little Mermaid (Andrina). Favorite regional credits: Joseph… (MRE), In the Heights (MRE), and The King and I (MRE). BFA from Chapman University. Special thanks to James, Mom, Dad, and Bloc for their love and support! @andreadobbins
CAILEN FU (Anna) is overjoyed to join La Mirada’s Frozen! NYC-based actor and VO artist. BROADWAY/1st NAT’L TOUR: Mean Girls. TV/ FILM: The Housemaid (upcoming), Kinda Pregnant (Netflix), “Elsbeth” (CBS), “Law & Order” (NBC). FAVORITE REGIONAL: King Lear (Cordelia, Shakespeare Theater DC), The Devil Wears Prada (Chicago, Pre-Broadway), TUTS: Frozen (Anna) and Newsies (Katherine Plumber), Shakespeare in Love (Viola De Lesseps). UC Irvine alum. Forever thankful to CESD and Lakey Wolff + Co. Love to T & L. @cailenfu
SLOANE GRIFFITH (Ensemble) is so excited to be making her La Mirada debut! Regional: The Music Man (Pittsburgh CLO), White Christmas, Joseph..., Mary Poppins, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Wonderland, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Tarzan (Tuacahn Amphitheatre), Grease (Moonlight Amphitheatre). Proud 2025 U of U graduate! Gratitude to Harper, mom, dad, and mentors for helping along the way. Special thanks to everyone at La Mirada for this opportunity! IG: @sloane.griffith
HARMONY ISHIKAWA (Ensemble) Thrilled to be making her La Mirada Theatre Debut in this incredible cast & crew of Frozen! Favorite credits: Spring Awakening, Bat Boy (Bud/Dr. 2), Seussical The Musical (Bird Girl), Urinetown (Little Sally/ Choreographer), CHICAGO (Kitty), Shrek The Musical (Pinocchio), EVITA , Grease . Currently a junior pursuing her BFA in Musical Theatre and Business minor at the University of Southern California. She thanks her mom, family, friends, and team @infin8artists for their support. Enjoy the show! @hqrmoni
MARK IVY (Olaf, Dance Captain) TUTS: Frozen (Olaf), Sweeney Todd (Beadle), Newsies (Wiesel), Cinderella (Lionel), Disney’s The Little Mermaid (Chef Louis), Seussical The Musical (Horton), All Shook Up (Dennis), Little Shop of Horrors (Seymour, Mushnik), First Date (Reggie), Reefer Madness (Ralph). Stages: Drag Wonderettes (Suzy), …Spelling Bee (Barfeé), Five Course Love, Shear Madness (Tony), Xanadu (Thalia), Life Could Be a Dream (Eugene), Next to Normal (Henry), Rabbit Hole (Jason). Alley Theatre: A Christmas Carol, Twelfth Night (Fabian). Follow @themarkivy
EVERLEIGH KIM-BERGMAN (Young Anna) A proud season ticket holder, it’s a dream come true
to make her La Mirada Theatre debut! Recently: High School Musical 2 (Gabriella) and LA Opera. Endless thanks to Julia Flores for making this dream happen, and big love to her amazing team at CESD (Domina Holbeck, Sloane Fitzgerald & Carol Lynn Sher), Cheryl Martin of CMA, and vocal coach Michelle Azar. Big hugs to Mom, Dad, and all the friends who’ve cheered her on.
BRUNO KOSKOFF he/him (Ensemble, u/s Sven, u/s Weselton) is thrilled to be back at La Mirada Theatre! He is currently pursuing a BFA in Musical Theatre from USC. Recent credits: Fiddler on the Roof (La Mirada Theatre), R&H’s Cinderella (5-Star Theatricals), John Wilkes Booth in Assassins (USC), and Mark in A Chorus Line (USC). Thank you Mom, Dad, Auggie, my extended family, and my friends for your constant support! @brunokoskoff
REGINA LE VERT (Bulda, Ensemble) is all about the love this time after making her La Mirada Theatre debut last year as the villainous Ursula in Disney’s The Little Mermaid. Other favorite credits: Rock of Ages (Justice), Hairspray (Motormouth Maybelle), Chicago (Matron Mama Morton), Jelly’s Last Jam (Hunny), and Tale of the Lion King (Mwongozo). Film: Black Canvas. “I like geography best because your mountains and rivers know the secret; pay no attention to borders.” @reginalevert
DEREK MANSON (Weselton) recently appeared as the Baker in Musical Theatre West’s Into the Woods and as Orin in Little Shop of Horrors with South Coast Repertory last fall. His regional stage work includes appearances with the Alliance Theatre, the Wallis, Denver Center, Portland’5 Centers for the Arts, Geva Theatre, Second City’s UP Comedy Club, Rubicon Theatre Company, Open Fist Theatre, Malibu Playhouse, For The Record Live, Sacramento Theatre Company, Greenway Arts, Woodshed Collective, and Cornerstone Theater.
ALEXANDER MENDOZA (Kristoff) Glory to God! Recently: World Premiere/Broadway-bound GALILEO: A ROCK MUSICAL (Berkeley Rep, dir. Tony winner, Michael Mayer). Select credits: Frozen (1st National Tour), The Phantom of the Opera (World Tour), Sister Act: The Musical (1st National Tour), Mamma Mia! (North American Tour), Next to Normal and Spring Awakening (McCoy Rigby). Mendoza is grateful to his family,
Marc & Dustin, Julia, & the cast/creatives of Frozen. His music is streaming on all platforms. Instagram: @officialalexandermendoza
SHANON MARI MILLS (Ensemble, u/s Queen Iduna) is overjoyed to be back at La Mirada! National Tours: Wicked (u/s Glinda), Cathy Rigby is Peter Pan (Curly, u/s Peter). Regional: La Mirada: Singin’ in the Rain, The Hunchback of Notre Dame (Chimera), …Spelling Bee (Olive); Music Circus: Hello Dolly, Legally Blonde The Musical, Seussical the Musical (Bird Girl), The Hunchback of Notre Dame (Chimera), The Grinch (Phyllis Who, Pantages) South Pacific (Hollywood Bowl), Dames at Sea (Joan/The Colony). Unicorn kisses for Peanut, Snickerdoodle & Bubba. Thanks: MRE office crew, Julia, Tom and Cathy. @shanonmarimills
MARISA MOENHO (Ensemble, u/s Anna) is proud to be making her La Mirada debut! Recent credits include Into the Woods (Musical Theatre West), Lyle, Lyle Crocodile (Pasadena Playhouse), Tootsie (Moonlight Amphitheater), Little Shop of Horrors (Solvang Theatre Festival), Cabaret (Solvang Theatre Festival), Elf The Musical (Theatre at the Welk), 42nd Street (Musical Theatre West & Moonlight Amphitheater), The Light in the Piazza (CCAE), Memphis (Moonlight Amphitheater). Marisa is a two-time Jimmy Award finalist and recent UCLA graduate. @marisamoenho
ASHLEY MONIZ (Queen Iduna, Ensemble, u/s Elsa) 1st National Tours: Kinky Boots, Sister Act (Mary Robert), 9 to 5, Legally Blonde, High School Musical. La Mirada: Waitress, Did You See What Walter Paisley Did Today? (Beatnik Girl), Grumpy Old Men (Melanie). Recent regional: Escape to Margaritaville (Rachel, Moonlight), Tarzan (Jane, Tuacahn), Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Mrs. Bucket, Tuacahn), 9 to 5 (Judy, Musical Theatre West), Kinky Boots (Hollywood Bowl). TV: “South Park,” “Beadies.” Favorite Roles: Benet’s wife and Everly’s mommy. www.ashleymoniz.com @ashleymonizb
AUDREY MOORE (u/s Young Anna) is honored to be in Arendelle! She recently played Jane Banks in Mary Poppins , and past credits include A Christmas Carol (Ensemble), Seussical The Musical (Dancer), Matilda (Amanda Thripp), and The Giver (Ensemble). Audrey voiced for
Mattel’s American Girl Doll and has been featured in verticals and internet commercials. Audrey would like to thank Julia Flores, McCoy Rigby, and her friends and family for their love and support. @Audrey.T.Moore
KENNETH MOSLEY (Pabbie, Ensemble) Actor, singer, writer, host. National Tours: Kinky Boots (Lola), Motown the Musical (Berry Gordy). Theatre: Memphis, Hairspray, Sister Act, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical. Starring in Don’t Tell Larry (in theatres Summer 2025!). TV/Film: “Night Court,” “Will Trent,” Hulu’s “Reboot,” “All American,” “Kenan,” “Terminal List,” “Duster,” “iCarly,” “Grace & Frankie,” “NTB” (written by/starring in dual roles). Southern Methodist University alumnus, British American Drama Academy’s MIO, The Second City Conservatory. @kenmos Thx Anthony, Mireille, McCoy Rigby!
GABRIEL NAVARRO (King Agnarr, Ensemble) Ecstatic to be back with La Mirada for his 3rd production! Selec t credits: CTG/Ahmanson’s A Christmas Story , MTW’s R&H’s Cinderella (Prince Topher), MTG’s The Light in the Piazza (Fabrizio), Brigadoon (Charles Dalrymple), SDMT’s 42nd Street (Billy Lawlor), Tokyo Disney’s Concert of Love (Aladdin), Riverside Rep’s West Side Story (Bernardo), Getty Villa, 5th Avenue Theatre, and Tuacahn. Current student at USC’s SDA and SCA (BFA: Musical Theatre/ Minor: Cinematic A rts). Figh t On! Instagr am : @GabrielNavarroJr | www.gabrielnavarrojr.com
CAMAL PUGH (Swing, u/s Pabbie) is a native of Washington, DC and is a graduate of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. A dancer, choreographer, and teacher for 15+ years, his credits include Nike, Pepsi, The Music Man, Gatsby Redux, Finneas, Carly Rae Jepsen, Deadpool x Wolverine at Comic Con, and Tale of the Lion King at Disneyland. Repped by MSA Agency, Camal is a 2024 BoradwayWorld Award nominee for Best Choreography of a musical and Best Dance Production. IG: @cnote_moves
ALEXANDER RÍOS (Ensemble, u/s Kristoff) Most recently seen in the National Tour of Company, Alexander is psyched to be making his La Mirada debut! Off-Broadway: Drat! The Cat! (J2 Spotlight), Pip’s Island (Theatre Row), Hazing U (AMT Theatre). Regional: Bonnie & Clyde (Pioneer Theatre), Funny
Girl (MSMT), South Pacific (Fulton Theatre, MSMT), The Cher Show (Gateway), Addams Family, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, State Fair (Arrow Rock). Much love to his Mama, Papa, and Jenna (La Mirada’s Elsa!!) <3 @alxndr.rios
JENNA LEA ROSEN ( Elsa ) Recent theatre credits: Frozen (Elsa, TUTS), Funny Girl (Fanny Brice, MSMT), Mack and Mabel (Mabel, El Portal), Anne of Green Gables – The Musical (Prissy/ Anne u/s, Goodspeed), The Addams Family (Wednesday, Sacramento Music Circus), Beauty and the Beast (Belle, Moonlight Stage Productions), Grease (Sandy, McCoy Rigby) and The Sound of Music (Liesl, McCoy Rigby). Jenna voices multiple animated characters for the Disney Channel on “Sofia the First,” and many others. For Grandma. @jennalearosen | Jennalearosen.com
BELLAMI SOLEIL SMITH ( Young Elsa ) is thrilled to be making her debut at La Mirada Theatre. Selected credits include The Sound of Music (Brigitta, Musical Theatre West), The Secret Garden (Mary Lennox, Golden West College), Mary Poppins (Jane Banks) and Alice in Wonderland (Alice) at The Rose Center Theater, Winter Lights (Alex, Discovery Cube OC), The Sound of Music (Marta, Camino Real Playhouse), Seussical The Musical (Gertrude McFuzz, McCoy Rigby Arts). Lucy Van Pelt’s voice (Knott’s Berry Farm). IG: @bellamisoleilsmith
THOMAS WHITCOMB (Sven) is thrilled to be returning to the La Mirada stage! He is an actor/ puppeteer originally hailing from Indianapolis, Indiana. Some of his favorite credits include Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock LIVE (Puppeteer), Crazy for You (Bobby), Footloose (Ren), and Frozen (Sven). Film/TV: “Miguel Wants to Fight” (Hulu). All the love and thanks to Abigail, Mom, James, family and friends, the cast, crew, and creative team. IG: @_thomas.whitcomb_
KRISTEN ANDERSON-LOPEZ and ROBERT LOPEZ ( Music & Lyrics ) the husband-andwife Oscar, Grammy, and Emmy-winning songwriting team behind the Disney animated films, Frozen and Frozen 2 . Together they also wrote the Oscar-winning song “Remember Me” from Pixar’s Coco , as well as songs for Marvel’s WandaVision (Emmy Award
win for “Agatha All Along”) and its spin-off series “Agatha All Along.” They adapted Frozen for the Broadway stage and are co-creators of the Hulu original series “Up Here.” Robert co-conceived and co-wrote the hit musicals Avenue Q and The Book of Mormon , both earning him Tony Awards. Kristen’s show In Transit made history as the first all a cappella musical to run on Broadway after an award-winning Off-Broadway run. Lopez and Anderson-Lopez have written for television, film and stage, including Finding Nemo: The Musical , songs for “The Wonder Pets” (two Emmy Award wins) and the Winnie the Pooh animated film. Lopez and Anderson-Lopez both serve on the Dramatists Guild Council. Graduates of Yale University and Williams College, respectively, they now reside in Brooklyn with their family.
JENNIFER LEE ( Book ) is the Academy Awardwinning writer and director of Walt Disney Animation Studio’s Frozen . For her work on Frozen , Lee received numerous awards including a Golden Globe, Critics’ Choice Award, BAFTA Award, and Academy Award. She wrote the book for the Broadway stage adaptation of Frozen , receiving a Tony Award nom for Best Book of a Musical, and wrote and directed the animated feature Frozen 2 . Her Disney Animation career began as co-writer of the Oscar-nominated Wreck-It Ralph. She went on to co-write the story for the Academy Award-winning Zootopia and served as Chief Creative Officer of Walt Disney Animation Studios from 2018 to 2024, when she began working on Frozen 3 and Frozen 4 . She has executive-produced numerous award-winning animated films including Moana 2 , Raya and the Last Dragon and the Academy Awardwinning Encanto. Her graphic novel As I Dream of You will be published in 2026.
DAN KNECHTGES ( Director and Choreographer ) Tony-nominated director and choreographer, and the Artistic Director for TUTS since 2017, having directed the 2024 Regional Premiere of Disney’s Frozen at TUTS. Directed/ Choreographed Sweeney Todd , The Secret of My Success , Sister Act , The Little Mermaid , Memphis , Mamma Mia! , Elf The Musical , and Wrote/Directed The Ugly Xmas Sweater Musical
World Premiere. He’s won several Houston Press Awards for Best Season, Best Musical, and Best Choreography. Broadway: Lysistrata Jones (Director/Choreographer), Xanadu (Tony nom, Drama Desk nom), Sondheim on Sondheim , 110 in the Shade (starring Audra McDonald), and …Spelling Bee . Off-Broadway: …Spelling Bee (Second Stage, Lucille Lortel nom), Tail! Spin! (starring Rachel Dratch), Clinton the Musical , Merrily We Roll Along (Encores!), Vanities (Second Stage), Lysistrata Jones (Director/Choreographer, Transport Group). Several regional credits, and you can see his Disney Jr. Dance Party show at Disney’s California Adventure and Disney World. Dan is an Executive Officer of the National Stage Directors and Choreographers Society.
BRAD GARDNER (Musical Director) La Mirada debut! Orchestra regular at Pantages, Ahmanson, Dolby Theatres (recent: Old Friends, Once Upon A Mattress , Wicked, Back to the Future , Kimberly Akimbo , Funny Girl , A Christmas Story ). Associate Conductor: Frozen , Aladdin , An American in Paris (1st National Tours). Music Director: An American in Paris , Japanese language premiere, Tokyo Broadway: Mean Girls, The Addams Family Little Shop of Horrors (Kennedy Center), Lyle, Lyle Crocodile (Pasadena Playhouse), Arena Stage, Denver Center, North Carolina Theatre. Music Production Executive: 40+ Netflix Original Films, and on the orchestra contracting team for John Williams since 2023.
JULIA FLORES ( Casting ) Celebrating our 31st season with McCoy Rigby Entertainment. Past MRE productions include touring productions of Peter Pan starring Cathy Rigby, Camelot , Jesus Christ Superstar and Disney’s The Little Mermaid . Additional credits include productions for Boston Court Theatre, The REV Theatre Company, Ensemble Theatre Company, TheatreWorks, Denver Center Theatre, A Noise Within, The Pasadena Playhouse, Portland Center Stage.
TIM MACKABEE ( Scenic Designer ) Broadway: The Elephant Man , Mike Tyson: Undisputed Truth . West End: The Elephant Man. OffBroadway: Heathers , Darling Grenadine , The
Last Match (Roundabout), Poor Yella Redneck s, Vietgone , Important Hats of the Twentieth Century (MTC), Guards at the Taj , Describe The Night , The Penitent, Our New Girl (Atlantic), Luce (LCT), Gigantic (Vineyard). Regional: oh yeah lots. Music Video: Carly Rae Jepsen’s “Surrender My Heart.” TV: Amy Schumer: Live at the Apollo (HBO), Smash. Education: NCSA, Yale School of Drama. @timmackabeedesign
COLLEEN GRADY ( Costume Designer ) Previously 18 seasons at Walnut Street Theatre in Philadelphia. Currently Shop Manager/ Designer at TUTS. Select TUTS Designs: In the Heights , Dreamgirls , Disney’s Beauty and the Beast , Guys and Dolls , A Chorus Line , Elf The Musical , Rock of Ages , Sister Act , The Secret to My Success , Mary Poppins , Sweeney Todd , Cinderella , Newsies , Little Shop of Horrors , Frozen. “There is nothing more powerful than an idea whose time has come.” – Victor Hugo
JASON LYONS ( Lighting Designer ) Jason’s work spans musicals, plays, concerts, and immersive experiences, with designs seen across the US and internationally. Broadway credits include On the Town , Bring It On , Hand to God , and Rock of Ages, et al. He also teaches lighting design at Emerson College and mentors the next generation of storytellers. Jason is thrilled to help bring the magic of Frozen to life—and to return to La Mirada after lighting Austen’s Pride there several years ago.
JOSH BESSOM ( Sound Designer ) Designs for MRE include Jersey Boys, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical , Cabaret , Ain’t Misbehavin’ , Les Misérables , Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (Ovation Nom), and more. Other favorites: National Tour of Cathy Rigby is Peter Pan , Carrie: The Musical , Miss Saigon , LA Theatre Works’ National Tour of The Graduate , and LMT’s productions of American Idiot , Floyd Collins , and Spring Awakening . He runs the independent record label, Organik Records, and plays bass and flute.
MIKE TUTAJ ( Projection Designer ) Based in Chicago, Mike has designed countless shows regionally, nationally, and internationally - including
design projections for Frozen , Sweeney Todd and The Secret of My Success at Theatre Under the Stars (TUTS). Mike is the head of the BFA Projection Design Program atThe Theatre School at DePaul University. He loves his wife, Emily, slightly more than his dogs. www.miketutaj.com
AFSANEH AAYANI ( Puppetry Designer ) is an Iranian American multidisciplinary artist. She has created art around the United States, Iran, China, Poland, Sri Lanka and Germany. To learn more about her work you can visit www.afsanehaayani.com.
KELLEY JORDAN ( Wig Designer ) is a veteran Wig and Makeup designer with over 40 years of experience in theater and entertainment. She is the founder of K. Jordan Theatrical. Jordan is the first Black Wig Designer at The Muny and a member of IATSE Local 805. Her work includes productions like Rock and Roll Man , An Officer and a Gentleman 1st National Tour and many more.
KAITLIN YAGEN ( Makeup Designer ) is thrilled to design again for McCoy Rigby. Design credits include Fiddler on the Roof, Waitress, Jersey Boys, Mystic Pizza, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, Joseph…, The King and I , Grease, The Sound of Music , Disney’s Beauty and the Beast , Peter Pan , Les Misérables , Miss Saigon , Carrie: The Musical . Kaitlin loves the work she does and the joy it brings to the audience. Thank you to baby Harvey, my husband and family for their continuous love and support.
GRAHAM DARNELL ( Associa te Lighting Design ) is a Lighting Designer based out of New York City. Recent credits: the Columbia Ballet Winter Recital and Macbeth at Oklahoma State University. He’s also recently served as an Associate on the TUTS Production of Frozen and Aida at Austria’s Oper Im Steinbruch, along with Assistant Lighting Designer on Don Giovanni and Carmen with Virginia Opera. Graham is thrilled to be at La Mirada, collaborating with incredible humans, creating art together. Enjoy the Show! @gramd22
CHARLES GLAUDINI ( Associate Sound Designer ) is an LA Drama Critics Award
nominated sound designer and music director based in LA. Favorite credits include Reefer Madness (25th Anniversary Revival, LA Theatre Bites Nomination) and Fiddler on the Roof with Jason Alexander (La Mirada). He holds a BA in Music from UC San Diego and an MFA in Sound Design from CalArts. Thanks to everyone at LMT, MRE, Mom, Dad, and all his mentors, past and present.
DWIGHT BELLISIMO ( Associate Projection Design ) is a Bay Area native and a projection designer whose work explores innovative uses of video across multiple artistic forms. He holds a BFA in Projection Design from The Theatre School at DePaul University and is currently pursuing an MFA at the David Geffen School of Drama at Yale. His creative practice spans installation, painting, sculpture, sketch comedy, and live performance—pushing the boundaries of visual storytelling across disciplines. See more of his work at bellisimodesigns.com.
KYLE CRAIG-BOGARD ( Assistant Director/ Choreographer ) is excited to be at La Mirada! Choreography credits include Footloose , Titanic (MSMT), Sweet Charity (Theatre by the Sea), Children’s Letters to God (Lamb’s Theatre Company), Celebrity Cruise Lines, and Jimmy Buffett’s concert tours. Associate Director/ Choreographer: Frozen, Elf The Musical (TUTS). Kyle’s performance career includes Broadway, Radio City Music Hall, National Tours, regional and international work. Currently, Kyle is an Associate Professor and Coordinator of the Musical Theatre program at Sam Houston State University.
TALIA KRISPEL ( Production Stage Manager ) is thrilled to be back with MRE & LMT! Select Theatres: Geffen Playhouse, South Coast Repertory, McCoy Rigby Entertainment/La Mirada Theatre, 3-D Theatricals, 5-Star Theatricals, Musical Theatre West, ACT of Connecticut, Ogunquit Playhouse, Rubicon Theatre Company, Ocean State Theatre Company, Theatre By the Sea, Paper Mill Playhouse, Old Globe, and Radio City Music Hall. For Mychal, Mama, & Dad. IG: @teekrisp. www.taliakrispel.com
JULIAN OLIVE ( Assistant Stage Manager ) is excited to be back with MRE! Other
credits include productions at The Geffen Playhouse, Musical Theatre West, CCAE Theatricals, South Coast Repertory, Papermill Playhouse, 3-DT, 5-Star Theatricals, Rubicon Theater Company, Forestburgh Playhouse, Short North Stage and the National Tour of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical ! A proud graduate of Marymount Manhattan College!
AUDREY COLINDRES (Assistant Stage Manager ) is very excited to be back to close out another season with MRE! Previously she has been on the stage management teams for Waitress , Disney’s The Little Mermaid , Jersey Boys , Mystic Pizza , Beautiful: The Carole King Musical , Million Dollar Quartet and Clue . She is a proud graduate of San Diego State University and Fullerton College. This one’s for JAG!
DAVID ELZER ( Publicist ) represents La Mirada Theatre, 5-Star Theatricals, Ensemble Theatre Company, Laguna Playhouse, Road Theatre Company, Rubicon Theatre Company. He is also an Ovation, Drama Desk, LADCC, LA Weekly, and Garland Award-winning theatrical producer and recipient of the LADCC Joel Hirschhorn Award for Outstanding Achievement in Musical Theatre. Productions include Justin Love , Having it All , The Marvelous Wonderettes and Winter Wonderettes at the El Portal, Life Could Be a Dream at the Hudson, and the Off-Broadway run of The Marvelous Wonderettes . Many thanks to BT, Jane, Tom, and Cathy and thank you for supporting La Mirada Theatre!
ACTORS’ EQUITY ASSOCIATION (AEA), founded in 1913, represents more than 49,000 actors and stage managers in the United States. Equity seeks to advance, promote and foster the art of live theatre as an essential component of our society. Equity negotiates wages and working conditions, providing a wide range of benefits, including health and pension plans. AEA is a member of the AFL-CIO, and is affiliated with FIA, an international organization of performing arts unions. The Equity emblem is our mark of excellence. www.actorsequity.org
McCOY RIGBY ENTERTAINMENT (Tom McC oy & Cathy Rigby McCoy, Executive Producers ) Broadway: Peter Pan starring Cathy Rigby, Jekyll and Hyde starring Deborah Cox. National Tours: Peter Pan starring Cathy Rigby, Camelot starring Michael York and Lou Diamond Phillips, Jesus Christ Superstar starring Carl Anderson, Annie Get Your Gun starring Cathy Rigby, Happy Days the Musical by Gary Marshall and Paul Williams, Seussical The Musical starring Cathy Rigby. International: Miss Saigon (Macau), Dreamgirls (Tokyo), Peter Pan (Macau & Riyadh). Awards: Emmy Awards and Nominations, Tony Award Nominations, countless Ovation Awards and Nominations. La Mirada Theatre: 30th season having produced over 100 musicals, plays, concerts, special events. TV: Peter Pan (A&E), A Night with Janis Joplin and Peter Pan (Broadway HD).
LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
The Tony-nominated theatre has been hailed by the Los Angeles Times as “one of the best Broadway-style houses in Southern California.” This beautiful state-of-the-art theatre has been producing quality productions since 1977. The theatre has produced several national tours and is the recipient of many accolades, including Tony, Emmy and Ovation Award nominations. For its 2012-13 season, it won the LA Stage Alliance Ovation Award for Best Season of the Year.
LA MIRADA CITY COUNCIL
JOHN LEWIS.............................................................................Mayor
ED ENG Mayor Pro Tem
MICHELLE VELASQUEZ BEAN Councilmember
STEVE DE RUSE Councilmember
ANTHONY OTERO ......................................……...Councilmember
JEFF BOYNTON City Manager
SPECIAL THANKS
City of La Mirada and Friends of the La Mirada Theatre
LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS STAFF
BT McNICHOLL .....................................Producing Artistic Director
DEVIS ANDRADE .................................................... House Manager
JANE LYNCH ................................. Theatre Operations Supervisor
HELENE DUARTE Department Secretary
ELIZABETH CARLOCK Ticket Services Manager
SARAH PETHER-HAMILL Assistant Ticket Services Coordinator
KYLE DURAN Theatre Facilities Coordinator
WESLEY HUNT Production Supervisor
NICHOLAS MASSEY Technical Director
JOSH BESSOM Audio Engineer
MELISSA SKAU Master Electrician
JAVIER RUIZ Assistant Technical Director
ALYSSA BARRON, STEVE BEARD, MICHAEL BENAVIDES, RAELONI BENDER, STEPHANIE BENITEZ, TAYLOR BOCKRATH, NICOLE BORDEN, MEGAN BURKE, MINERVA (MARS) CALDWELL, WILLIAM CHINNOCK, HUNTER DONOVAN, CHARLIE GLAUDINI, SAMUEL GUNTHER, CHRISTAL KENNEDY, MAX LIZARRAGA, CHRISTIAN OCAMPO, PAIGE ROBITAILLE, EMILY STARKE, JAHAN WATKINS Stagehands
MERCY BLUMBERG, ALEXANDRA BRACCIO, LINDA COTA, HAZEL BUSCAINO, LOGAN CRAWFORD, JENNIFER DE LEON, TOMMY DODD, AARON ESPINOSA, ITZEL FALCON-VASSALLO, NORRIE FAULKNER, SONJA JOHNSON, TREVOR JONES, HANNAH LANDIS, DANA MARTIN, TATIANA MARTINEZ, JENNIFER NELSON, MARTHA REYES, ALEXANDRIA SHEETS, MARCIA TOTTEN, GARY WONG .......................................... Ushers
NEAL MYRON ANG, LUIS DIAZ, FRANCISCO FERNANDEZ, RAYMOND F. GARCIA, TIMOTHY HILL, EDUARDO LOERA, JACOB MOLINA, RAUL MORALES, RAY ROMERO Theatre Maintenance ADRIENNE MEDRANO Graphic Designer
THEATRE UNDER THE STARS (TUTS) Scenic/Prop/Wig/Puppets/Costume Rental
Visit www.LaMiradaTheatre.com or call us at (562) 944-9801.
Share photos of your experience with us on social media!
902-2911.
SUPPORTERS OF OUR 2024-2025 SEASON
$1,000 & Above
Aaron Adrian
Kenneth & Sherry Becker
Donna & Art Carter
Bob & Marianne Hughlett
Mr. Rick Kleemann
La Mirada United Methodist Men’s Club
Beverly Sutherland
Gary and Patrice Werschmidt
$500 & Above
Donald & Lucy Crumrine
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Ralph &Carol Hansen
Mr. Robert Henley
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Up To $25
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GROUNDED ELEGANCE
Connecting a home’s aesthetics to its site through art and science is the underappreciated discipline of landscape architecture. by ROGER GRODY
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE, a specialty that balances functionality, aesthetics and sustainability, can dramatically elevate any residence. In addition to firms exclusively dedicated to landscape design, some architectural offices provide in-house landscape design services to ensure overall project consistency.
Los Angeles-based KAA Design Group continues the city’s rich legacy of midcentury modernism, reimagining the genre for the ever-evolving Southern California lifestyle.
“With in-house landscape services, more holistic design solutions are brought to bear,
Here and below: A Marmol Radziner project in Malibu serves the indoor-outdoor lifestyle.
KAA Design infinity-edge pool in Palos Verdes and, below, landscaping detail in Palos Verdes.
says associate principal Michael McGowan, who heads its landscape architecture team. “We’re involved in a project from the very beginning—landscape architecture is never an afterthought.”
Though KAA Design is known for its modernism, McGowan stresses that the accompanying landscaping need not be minimalist: “Sometimes the landscaping can bring warmth to the architecture, introducing a more romantic, humanized quality.”
For a KAA Design project on the Palos Verdes Peninsula, McGowan and his colleagues embraced a Mediterranean palette while enhancing Southern California’s indoor-outdoor lifestyle.
“The paving material is warm and rich,” McGowan notes. “The water in the infinity-edge pool appears to match the ocean in the background.”
Influential L.A. firm Marmol Radziner offers architecture, landscape design and interiors. The firm shares KAA Design Group’s appreciation for midcentury modernism; its restoration of Richard Neutra’s Kaufmann House in Palm Springs earned Marmol Radziner early
acclaim that its principals have built on throughout the years.
Marmol Radziner’s multidisciplinary, collaborative approach— which includes a strong landscape architecture division—is consistent with managing partner Leo Marmol’s philosophy. “We practice a team sport,” he says.
Amy Smith, landscape studio director at Marmol Radziner, says, “We think of architecture and landscape architecture as a single vision, and capture the client’s goals together through a collaborative process.”
Referencing the indoor-outdoor lifestyle favored by locals, she notes that the landscaping concept for a Point Dume project yielded opportunities to seamlessly transition social activities to inviting outdoor spaces.
“The landscape architecture establishes a connection to the surrounding environment and creates different ways for people to live in their homes,” Smith says. “There’s strong interest in incorpo-
PHOTOS ROGER DAVIES
rating at-home wellness features into outdoor gardens.” Among them are saunas, spas and cold plunges.
West Hollywood-based Hoffman & Ospina specializes in landscape architecture for luxury homes and high-end resorts. “Residential landscape architecture enhances the
aesthetics, functionality and livability of a property,” says principal Juan Camilo Ospina Londoño.
Swimming pools, outdoor living rooms and security management are all among Ospina’s responsibilities. He collaborates with other design and construction professionals as well as farmers.
“We need to be sensitive to the environment, and balance is important,” says Ospina. He notes that while people insist on privacy, some hedges and fences can increase fire risks.
Conversely, he points out, “With seismic and safety regulations, a pool can cost more than a Lamborghini, but can be a fire safety resource if properly equipped.”
Hoffman & Ospina has been
designing accessory dwelling units (ADUs), increasingly popular with homeowners, with rooftop pools.
Tailored culinary gardens are also trending, says Ospina, but cautions that they require ongoing support and maintenance.
On a half-acre lot in Brentwood, Hoffman & Ospina created multiple outdoor living spaces that reinforce the clients’ indoor-outdoor lifestyle, enhancing the hardscaping with herringbone-patterned Mexican limestone.
Lushly landscaped living areas in Brentwood by Hoffman & Ospina
FRENCH COMFORT
Elegant honesty defines the cuisine and experience, and bistro favorites are elevated, at Perle. by ROGER GRODY
A GREAT FRENCH BISTRO combines a nostalgic sense of comfort with an understated permission to celebrate. Perle, whose tables spill onto the sidewalk in Old Pasadena, captures the essence of that experience.
With scant culinary gimmickry, it presents some of the best qualities of French cuisine through an approach more soulful than precious.
Chef Dean Yasharian and wife Pauline were scheduled to open the restaurant the very week California locked down for the pandemic in 2020. Despite the inauspicious timing, the owners earned a loyal clientele by packing up steak frites and coq au vin for home consumption.
Five years later, the couple’s home in Altadena was destroyed in the Eaton Fire—yet no adversity interrupts the solid cooking and hospitality at Perle.
Caviar service at Perle and, below, the bar
Cinderella
Choreographed
The dining room has the homey good looks of a century-old Parisian bistro. Art Deco chandeliers hang from a coffered ceiling; on the walls are vintage serving trays and eclectic art.
In the rear, an intimate hand-carved mahogany bar, matching the woodwork throughout, exudes warmth and community. Sheltered sidewalk seating, one positive legacy of the pandemic, accommo-
dates al fresco diners.
Yasharian was mentored by Daniel Boulud in New York as well as British heavyweights Gordon Ramsay and Daniel Clifford. He honors tradition but Perle does not feel dated.
Guests might begin a meal by indulging in sustainably farmed caviar with the customary accoutrements, but can also celebrate on a budget
with a single blini.
Much of the menu is presented with an elegant simplicity. Some dishes arrive on pottery handcrafted by Pauline Yasharian herself.
Bistro standards include garlicky escargots, tweaked slightly with a pistachio-panko crust, and a refreshing salade lyonnaise (frisée, lardons, poached egg) with ideally acidic Dijon vinaigrette.
One can opt for an unpretentious countrystyle pâté with crusty sourdough. A duck-liver parfait whose preparation changes periodically recently brought a pair of slices reminiscent of foie gras torchon that were plated with fig preserve and duck prosciutto.
The de rigueur French onion soup, arriving in a crock appropriately splattered with cara-
Stuffed frog legs and, left, Perle dining room. Opposite from top: apéritif and French onion soup
melized Gruyère, is ideal for any chilly evenings remaining this season.
Steak tartare, molded into an attractive egg yolkcrowned disk, features quality Prime beef and a welcome assertive note.
In most French restaurants in L.A., coq au vin is a half-hearted presentation that rarely meets expectations or fifth arrondissement memories. But here the dish yields
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an intense, obviously patiently reduced braising liquid. Steak frites features a 10-ounce Prime New York strip accompanied by either a deftly prepared peppercorn-cognac sauce or a bone-marrow bordelaise.
Handmade rigatoni is tossed in velouté and topped with fresh-shaved black truffles. The orangeglazed duck breast comes with a silky, ethereal celery root purée.
Perle offers various vegetarian items, among them mushroom “escargots” and a faux chicken coq au vin.
Finish with pungent
Époisses, Burgundy’s legendary cheese, and/or an intensely caramelized tarte Tatin—regarded as among the best in L.A.— accompanied by tangy whipped labneh.
On Perle’s exclusively French wine list—fairly approachable vis-à-vis menu prices—one finds both a bottle of renowned Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape
and, representing genuine value, a modest Loire Valley cabernet franc.
Perle, 43 E. Union St., Pasadena, 626.460.8819, perlerestaurant.com
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Charcuterie at Perle
Fiddler on the Roof in Yiddish
Mariza
Riccardo Muti
Anat Cohen
Cécile
FEATURE such a broad level to be super-attractive.”
/ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15
artist to her shows.
Downes’ on-air career began in 2022 during the pandemic. She found herself at home with no tours when the phone rang.
“The content director at KDFC asked if I had ever thought about doing radio—which I kind of had not,” she recalls. “But what came out of my mouth before my brain knew it was ‘Sure.’ Because when I grow up, I want to be Leonard Bernstein!
“I’ve always loved radio and media,” she continues. “I found this platform to share what I love about music at
Downes especially loves how radio can reach listeners in a way she can’t through concerts and recordings.
“The superpower of radio is that it engages with the person that I always call the accidental listener,” she says.
“We have devoted music lovers who listen, but we also have people who are just passing by— who might hear the station in the back of a taxicab or passing by an open window or just scrolling the dial.”
On her broadcasts and streams, Downes blends works by prominent
composers with pieces by less familiar artists.
“The music by the people we think of as the great composers, those legacies have been beautifully maintained
and handed down to us. Then there are all of these stories that fall by the wayside for one reason or another. Who’s writing those history books?
“I’ve been fortunate in
Custom designed or ready made garments, restyling, alternations, cleaning, glazing and storage.
“ I never grew up thinking classical music wasn’t also a part of Latin American culture, until I learned there’s a stigma. Classical music can be ... a little clique-y.”
—Brisa Siegel
my career to uncover or recover so much music by composers whose names and whose sounds we haven’t known in this sort of steady, unbroken way.”
The point, Downes says, is not simply to expand the playlist. It’s about expanding the listener’s experience.
“When we fill out the landscape, and we understand more about the broad community of the brightest artists, it opens our minds and ears and hearts to new music. It puts a different context to the music we already knew. I feel like we’re filling out the picture.”
Brisa Siegel came to KUSC looking for a trainee job in 2022 as a broadcast host who had limited exposure to classical music—though her uncle happens to be the resident conductor of the National Symphony Orchestra of the Dominican Republic.
Her blank slate
struck
a chord with the station’s program manager, who according to Siegel told her, “ ‘We need someone who’s relatable. Most of our audience aren’t scholars. And you can learn anything that you want.’
“From there, it started a really beautiful chapter for me.”
Siegel hosts overnight and weekend on-the-air slots as well as “Nuestra Música,” streams of music by Latin composers available in English and in Spanish. The Latin composers are, in Siegel’s mind, simply composers.
“I never grew up thinking that classical music wasn’t also a part of Latin American culture, until I learned that there is a stigma. Classical music can be exclusive. It can be a little clique-y.”
Those streams connect with listeners, she says. “We’ve gotten so many comments and voicemails of people saying ‘I feel a place here now ... like I can enjoy this genre of music and feel related to it.’ ”
Siegel’s dual language programs are two of a dozen or so streams, including music from video games and movies. They’re all points of entry for listeners to connect and be part of a broader effort that streaming and apps can achieve with listeners all over the world.
“We reach between 1.5 and 1.6 million listeners
around the globe each month,” Muhammad says. “We are a California institution, and we are a global institution.”
Ultimately, Downes says, it’s the humanity in the music that ties all those listeners around the world.
“The core beauty and truth and importance of this music has nothing to do with the fact that
“We reach more than 1.5 million listeners around the globe each month. We are a California institution, and we are a global institution.”
— James A. Muhammad Classical California president
Beethoven, for example, was a genius. It has to do with the fact that Beethoven was a human being,” she says.
“This powerful, deeply honest, open-hearted music still speaks to us 200-plus years later.
“When we’re all connected via a streaming station like this, we are all experiencing the incredible power of music to transcend time and place, and to speak to us from the heart of a person who’s no longer walking the earth.”
REPROGRAMMED!
Performances Magazine unveils a digital program platform for shows and concerts
DROP DOWN MENU Table of app contents.
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THE ESSENTIALS
Acts, scenes, synopses, repertory and notes.
CONTRIBUTORS
Donors and sponsors who make it all possible—you!
NO RUSTLING PAGES, no killing trees . . . the digital Performances program platform has proved to be one of the more enduring recent theater innovations.
The touchless platform provides the programs for 20 Southern California performing-arts organizations, from the Los Angeles Philharmonic and Ahmanson Theatre to San Diego Opera, where the app made its debut.
Among a variety of features, it provides cast and player bios, donor and season updates, and numerous
other arts-centric features.
Audiences receive a link and a code word that instantly activate the app; QR codes are posted, too.
Screens go dark when curtains go up and return when house lights come back on.
Updates—such as repertory changes, understudy substitutions and significant new donations —can be made right up to showtime, no inserts necessary.
Other plusses include video and audio streams, translations and expanded biographies.
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THE PLAYERS
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WHAT’S ON
What’s coming at a glance and ticket information.
For those who consider printed programs to be keepsakes, a limited number, as well as commemorative issues for special events, continue to be produced. Collectibles!
Meanwhile, there is less deforestation, consumption of petroleum inks and programs headed for landfills.
For the ecologically minded, the platform gets a standing ovation.
The digital Performances is but one more reason for audience excitement. Activate your link and enjoy the shows. CALEB
